L.B. Landry Class of '64 keeps special bond alive

The L.B. Landry class of 1964 met at Brother’s Restaurant recently, and at a table near the entrance, Joyce Henderson, Theresa Williams and Joellen James discussed what made their class so special.

The class last met three years ago, for their 47th, but it’s clear they have never lost touch. A core group meets every month. Most live in the New Orleans area or in nearby parts of Louisiana or Mississippi. The most movement they saw was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

But it is not only proximity. As James said, “We were always close. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like without the class.”

Henderson agreed. “We are family. And we had such great teachers. They were like our parents,” Henderson said.

It was about that time, classmates Warren Jackson and Alfred Taylor walked past, and James pointed at them. “There go the players,” James said, laughing.

“Loverboy!” Joyce Henderson said.

The two gray-haired men, both good sports, smiled, but moved quickly past into the adjacent dining area.

The class had plans to meet again the next day for a picnic. On the menu for that Saturday were red beans, smoked sausage, grilled chicken and 80 pounds of ribs. And then, the following Sunday, 31 of the 54 class members were to set out on a Caribbean cruise.

The ambitious schedule was largely the effort of Henderson, who the others referred to as the “motivator,” but she received essential help from James and Williams.

Class President Ernel Cambrice stopped by the table. “We grew up together. Many of us went to the same elementary,” Cambrice said. Everyone nodded their heads.

“We like each other.” Cambrice added.

Irvin Williams joked. Referring to the gathering, he said, “It’s just something to do.” But later, concerned that he might be taken seriously, he was careful to set the record straight.

“You understand,” Williams said, “these are my people.”

Kiwanis Club of Algiers

The speaker for the April 24 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Algiers will be Tom Cruser, who will speak on Jazzfest fundraising. The club meets on Thursday mornings from 7 to 8 at Aurora Swim and Tennis Club, 5244 Gen. Meyer Ave.

7th Annual Sandbach Under 13s Auction

What is a Sandbach and why is it under 13? Thirteen what? A partial answer is, it is the name of a rugby team in England. The rest can be learned on April 23, at 7 p.m. when an auction to support the team will be held at the Crown & Anchor Pub, 200 Pelican Ave. in Algiers Point. Arrive early and take advantage of the pre-Auction happy hour.